Interviews
Job interviews are tough for most people, and it can feel especially daunting to go on an interview after you’ve been out of the paid workforce for a while. Depending on the length of your career break and how long you were working before you stepped away, it may have been a long time since you’ve been the subject of a job interview.
The good news is there are specific steps you can take to make the experience a little easier. Here are a few things you can do before, during, and after an interview to increase your chances of success.
Before the Interview
Prepare stories to highlight your value
Go through your old resumes and think about the skills and experiences you want to demonstrate. Then take that a step further and think about how to tell the story of that skill. Many companies use behavioral interviewing techniques, which means you should prepare to tell a story about how you handled a situation related to your skill set. Don’t limit yourself to stories based on your prior professional experience. Remember, you can always translate your “non-work” experience into business language.
Also, even if you don’t plan to bring it up during the interview, you should be prepared to talk about your career gap if asked. Being prepared will help you speak confidently about your break and allow you to shine a light on the valuable skills and experience you gain while away from the paid workforce.
Practice, practice, practice
Preparing your responses and examples using the STAR Method is a great first step in preparing for an interview. The STAR Method is an easy structure to follow that includes details on the situation, task, action and result of your example. You can use our downloadable STAR Method Worksheet at the end of this section for guidance using the framework.
How will you practice? There’s no substitute for rehearsing your stories out loud. If you have a supportive friend or family member who can help you practice — that’s great. You can also introduce yourself to someone in your network for a “low risk” opportunity, like a mock interview, to try out your story. Can’t find someone to practice with? Practicing in front of a mirror works just fine too. Yes, it’s terribly hard and awkward, but it will improve your performance and boost your confidence.
Do your homework
Know as much as possible about the organization you are applying to, the position you are interviewing for, and the people you will be meeting with. Start with the company website, but also move beyond it —look for press articles, social media mentions, and employer review sites. Get the names of everyone you are meeting with and look them up on LinkedIn. You may find an opportunity to connect with an interviewer on an unrelated topic that will help you stand out from the crowd.
During the Interview
Ask good questions
Go into each interview with a long list of questions you want to ask. Why so many? It’s likely many topics you might ask will already be mentioned in the interview. Having a long list ensures you will be left with something to ask at the end. The questions you ask should focus on the company and the position — you want to show that you are looking to learn about the organization and how you can make an impact. Save questions about benefits and flexibility for the negotiation stages, after they’ve offered you a position.
If you need to know how amenable the company is to flexible work, ask broader questions about the culture and what it’s like to work there. A question like “What types of people thrive here?” can tell you a lot about the company.
Relax and be vulnerable
It’s normal to be nervous. If you find yourself getting a bit flustered, pause and take a deep breath. Say something like “As you can probably tell, I’m a bit nervous. This is an exciting opportunity and I don’t want to blow it. Would you mind if I answered that question again?”
By acknowledging what the interviewer can see — you are nervous! — you show confidence and self-awareness. The interviewer will almost certainly forget whatever you babbled about and remember both your humility and the great answer that you’ll be able to give when you’ve regained your composure.
If you’re having a video interview, which more and more companies are using, take time to prepare for the virtual interview. Video interviews are a bit like open book tests, so take advantage of the fact that you can refer to notes on screen while you answer the interviewer’s questions.
After the Interview
Send a thank you email
Write a customized thank you note and send it as soon as possible. What makes a thank you note great? One that’s well thought out, specific to the conversation, and advances your candidacy by highlighting where you believe you can add value. If you believe you flubbed a question, the thank you note can be a place to offer a clarification.
STAR Method Worksheet
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